Liberty senior graduates with 2 diplomas

Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune

Liberty High School’s Valerie Grimaldo is the first graduate to receive a high school diploma and an Associates Degree at the same time. Grimaldo graduated from Madera Community College on May 30 and will receive her Liberty program during tonight’s commencement ceremonies. She will enter college next semester as a junior.

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When Liberty High School senior Valerie Grimaldo receives her diploma tonight from the commencement ceremonies, she will already have a college diploma in hand.

Grimaldo graduated from Madera Community College with an AA degree on May 20. In addition, she will graduate tonight ranked No. 4 in the 2023 class at Liberty High School with a GPA of 4.375.

“It’s pretty cool,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to do it. I remember growing up, I remember watching the news and seeing a girl do it. I thought I could do that too in the back in my mind. I wanted to save time and money. With community college, everything was free.